"I subscribe to Doctor Who magazine, I've got a Tardis ringtone, a five-foot cardboard Dalek in my bedroom and when I got the call saying they wanted me to read for the part, I was in the back of my tour bus watching episode three of The Sensorites. I am beyond excited."

The show's lead writer, Steven Moffat, joked: "It's no secret that Frank's been pitching vigorously to get into Doctor Who for a while.

Wales News

The cast were recently spotted filming in a forest in Cardiff

"He's been volunteering to be 'third monster on the left' as long as I've been in this job.

"But now, in Jamie Mathieson's sparkling script, we finally have a part that can showcase all of Frank's famous wit and charm.

He added: "Hopefully he'll get out of my garden now."

Skinner, who is currently touring the UK with his stand-up show, joins other previously announced guest stars including Ben Miller, Tom Riley, Keeley Hawes and Hermione Norris.

The presenter has previously appeared in the one-off Doctor Who 50th anniversary comedy homage The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot.